24 posts categorized "Pets"

April 10, 2013

I've been spending lots of time here, on the back porch and it's pretty darn wonderful. I wish it could be spring for 8 months of the year. Not 12, just 8. Yes in my ideal weather world, we would have mostly spring. I also love fall so I'd like about 3 months of fall. And just so things don't get too boring I'd take half a month of summer and half winter.

I know with the winter much of the country has endured, I have absolutely no right to complain about anything weather related, so I'll stop.

The first stretch of warm days sends me straight to the garden center, usually just like a kid in a candy store. It's taken me a long time, but I think I've finally accepted that I'm lazy when it comes to caring for flowers. This year I practiced great restraint and only bought a few blooms, opting instead for super easy, super hardy asparagus fern and sweet potato vine. No matter how hot it gets and how much I ignore them, these two plants never let me down.

I also wanted to do some sort of container herb garden. Home Depot had herbs and vegetable plants on sale, 5 pots (3"?) for $10. I came home with rosemary, parsley, cilantro, and a basil variety and got busy searching pinterest for herb garden ideas.

I drilled holes in the bottoms, and along the bottom of the sides of all my pots.

I took these photos with my phone and they look like they have a soft filter applied. Nope, it's just pollen on the lens. Nothing is safe. Achoo!

An upside down flower pot placed in the large tub helps to elevate the second pail and also to save on the amount of potting soil needed.

Then I just added potting soil and placed my herbs with plenty of space left for growth. I also scattered some seeds in the open spaces, to extend the life of my little herb garden. Along with the herbs, I used a couple of the sweet potato vines for some trailing interest.

I think I'll search pinterest one more time for some cute plant marker ideas to replace those not so cute plastic guys.

I can't wait to start snipping my herbs for all the gourmet meals I cook. (Wink)

As long as we're in the backyard, let me show you one more thing.

My last post, I mentioned Lola, the chihuahua mix I rescued from beside the road. I'm pretty sure someone had abandoned her, but not before abusing her. She's very skiddish around most men, especially Mitch. She's terrified of him and since he's never given her reason to fear him, I think he must remind her of someone who did.

Anyway, Lola took about one day to make herself right at home. She loves it here, but she's also a bit of a roamer. Our backyard is fenced in, but the slats are spaced so that she could walk right through. She could and she did every chance she got, running like the wind through the hood. We tried lining the inside of the fence with some plastic chicken wire type material. She would root underneath or just push it down and go over the top, so I could only let her out on a leash.

Then I happened upon this picture on pinterest.

Wha...? Kind of crazy huh? No, I didn't get this for her, but I did search for similar, less dangerous looking options and came across the Puppy Bumper.

Genius I tell ya'!

Lola and I are in love with her Puppy Bumper.

In love! She can roam freely around inside the fence and I don't have to be right there with her every minute. She tested it out pretty vigorously to begin with.

She gave it her all, trying to get through, over under.... no luck. She wasn't going anywhere. Ha! Now that she's used to it, she will poke her head out to look around, but doesn't really try to squeeze through anymore. She goes nuts when she sees it and knows it means she gets to go out. It doesn't seem in the least bothersome to her and she hasn't tried to bite or scratch it off. It was 25 bucks and worth every dollar!

I have in no way been compensated to say that. The Puppy Bumper folks have no idea I exist, but Lola and I are so glad I found them!

April 04, 2013

I have have so many fascinating things I would love to talk about. Like...

My cat's hyperactive thyroid

Making pompoms out of yarn

Spring (did you hear that NC? enough with the cold, it's SPRING!)

Bayleigh. I Never run out of Bayleigh stories, like the time I said son of a gun, and she asked if I meant son of a #@$&*. Yes she did.

I can't remember if I introduced you to Lola. Did I? A chihuahua mix I found abandoned beside the road.

Early menopause. Oh joy!

Trying to learn new makeup strategies for a face that isn't as young as it once was.

Pillowcase dresses. So sweet aren't they?

Our pending induction into the club of jobless folks. The plant where Mitch has worked for the past 26 years is closing in a couple of months. Oh my!

Some of my new favorite things.

See, just that quick I came up with ten potential blog posts. I have absolutely no excuse. Where shall I start, the starving cat or menopause? Job loss or stray dog? Foul mouthed four-year-old? You tell me, what are you just dying to hear about?

January 26, 2011

I'm still wreaking havoc in the kitchen. I got all the walls and trim painted white. I took the doors off one of the upper cabinets and started putting vinyl in the back. Then I ran out of vinyl. Drats. Here's what I've got so far.

I also managed to sweet talk Mitch into painting the doors in the kitchen black.

Why did I photograph the door from this angle?

I was trying to photograph this guy.

Meet Willie, my new grand-pup. Alyssa got a new baby, the four legged variety. Isn't he a sweetie?

OK, did you enjoy that bit of sweetness? Back to the kitchen insanity. Why not do some closet demo while were at it?

I have a pantry that I really hadn't been using as a pantry for some time. It had really become the closet equivalent of a junk drawer.

So, I pulled everything out, and piled it on every flat surface in my kitchen. Nice.

That blue box up there has the topper from my wedding cake. I've been married 23 years. Do I really need to keep the topper from my cake?

Pretty, huh? Just wait till you see the inside of the closet.

Those big holes are from removing the wire shelving. It's outta here. The dirt, well I have no explanation for that, other than the fact with all that junk, who could see the dirty wall?

I'm happy to say it has been cleaned and painted and will be getting newly painted wood shelving.

Soon, I hope.

I'll be back later this week with a few more projects I've been working on.

June 14, 2010

In the past year, we've said goodbye to three four-legged members of our family. Gracie died last May, very unexpectedly. She was ten years old. She died in my arms and took a little piece of my heart with her.

Last month we made the very difficult decision that life was just too hard for our Angel. She was nearly sixteen, blind, nearly deaf and very, very feeble. Arthritis made it difficult to walk. I hoped she would peacefully go in her sleep, but I came to the realization that keeping her alive was more for my well-being than hers. Life had no joy for her anymore. I tearfully had to face the truth.

Then a couple of nights ago, our little Lucky man was hit by a car. He was only three years old. I'm just heartbroken that he died such a violent death. Alone. I miss the little guy so much. Every time I sit in this chair I still expect to hear his little paws running my way to snuggle up next to me. When I lay down at night I wait to hear him jumping on the side of the bed, ready to be helped up. I know the hurt will lessen and seeing his little face in pictures will bring about a smile instead of tears. I'm just not there yet.

That's a quart sized can of paint- he was such a tiny baby.

Each of these creatures came into our lives and made themselves at home in our hearts. They had distinct personalities and quirky little qualities that made them special and lovable. I miss them so, and am so glad to have shared my home and heart with them if only for a short time.

In the span of a year, we've gone from a four dog family to just one. I loved each of them as if they were a child and my heart is surely a lot fuller because of the love and joy they brought to my life. Toby will certainly be overprotected, but he doesn't mind the extra doting and attention, one bit.

Man, this was a hard post to write! Looking at all those old pictures was heartbreaking. I really, really miss my sweet wet nosed babies. Sniff, sniff...

October 18, 2006

Sometimes I worry that I sound like a broken record. Hmmm... is that phrase antiquated? Should I say like a scratched cd? Anyway I feel like all I've posted lately is purses and today is more of the same. At least I'm consistent. I'm so happy to have purses waiting to be made and I feel like I'm working at a good pace. It's been a variety of styles this week. More Machine Made Patchworks inspired bags. I used a leather strap on a couple of these. One of my favorite fellow purse makers Craft Apple posted about using saddle straps for handles. I had to do a little searching since I don't live where the West begins, but I did find saddle ties that worked wonderfully as handles. Who knew? Well, Linda knew, that's who. Thanks Miss Apple. The wonderful thing about commissioned purses is many times I end up with something I never would have designed myself. This black patchy-patchwork bag for instance. My personal taste is more neutral and understated, boring maybe. This bag is bright and cheerful and will suit its new owner perfectly. She asked for a black bag with patchwork in jewel tones. This is my interpretation. Hope she likes it. So that's what I've been up to, but what's been on my mind? As the title says, paint. Not spray paint. I'm itching for some change and not my typical quick change that involves a little fabric and some spray paint. No, my mind has been drifting to thoughts of hardwood and new wall colors, painted kitchen cabinets, slip-covered sofas. Do I have time for this? More importantly, do I have money for this? NO! That's a big fat No to both questions. The hardwood lust has been going on for quite a while. In fact 11 years ago when we were building this house I wanted hardwood throughout. The builder all but laughed at me, knowing our budget. So I had to settle for hardwood in the dining room and carpet in the other rooms. Carpet is supposed to be really bad for those with respiratory problems (me). It harbors dust mites and all sorts of other things I'd rather not think about, add to that training a new puppy. Try as I may to stay on top of things and keep an eye on him at all times, there has been the occasional accident. So hardwood has been on my mind. Now if only my mind could come up with a way to pay for hardwood. A less expensive project that's also been dancing in that head of mine involves paint (I can't be blamed for this one). How can you look at this kitchen and not want to paint? I've never been crazy about my dark wood cabinets. I know, I know... it's a sin to paint oak...bla, bla, bla... I'm just not a wood kinda girl (except when it comes to floors of course). I really want to paint them, but it's kind of like getting a tattoo. I know that I better love the color I choose because I'm going to be stuck with it for a long time. I'll paint most things on a whim, my philosophy is it's only paint, but this particular project is going to be no small undertaking involving lots of sanding and removing of doors and hardware and taping off and, and, oh my... You see now why I haven't done it yet. Oh the dreams of a crazy purse maker. I didn't even tell you about the walls I want to paint or the slipcovers I want to make. It's an exciting life I lead isn't it?

I'll leave you with this picture. Toby, guardian of the food bowl. No matter who is eating, Toby is standing by. Watching. I'm not sure if he just likes watching them eat or he's making sure they don't eat it all. I'm guessing the latter. How'd you like to eat every meal with an audience?

September 13, 2006

No, and I'm not sure it will matter anyway because I don't think I'm very good at knitting. I had a knitting lesson yesterday. It was basically one on one, just shaky handed me and the very patient instructor. The lesson lasted 2 1/2 hours and I am ashamed of what I accomplished in that amount of time.

Oh well, at least the yarn is pretty and I love the feel of the bamboo needles. I'm going to stick with it and hope I improve. At the rate I'm going I should have a scarf knitted by next winter... for Toby.

Speaking of Toby, I haven't posted a picture of Mr. Cutestpupintheworld in a while.

He's laying in the middle of a pile of fabric scraps. I have a large canvas bin full of scraps. When I say full I mean it is crammed so tight with little scraps of fabric it is about to bust. This morning I was searching for.... I don't even remember what for, but I pulled about half the fabric out and dumped it on the floor. Toby immediately jumped in the pile and started running off with fabric. He played and played with that pile and when he was tired he got on top and went to sleep. Here's a view from above.

No tutus to share yet but I did finish the wallets for Wendy.

I also made matching key chains and travel tissue pouches. Barring any kinks in my plans, tutus will be debuting tomorrow. See ya then.

August 24, 2006

**Warning** This post is sure to be over the legal limits for sweetness.

Look at that face, those great big black eyes. Toby is settling in and getting comfortable in his new home. He's a little timid and skittish. The home he came from had a toddler and more than once I saw her pick either he or his brother up by their head. You know, toddlers don't know how to show love gently. I'd be a little nervous too. Madden came in and took charge, like he was the only pup in town. Toby isn't quite as confident. He loves to snuggle but he's also content to take a nap in his little pet kennel. He's eating and playing and doing an excellent job of just being too darn cute. He is a welcome ray of sunshine.

Can you stand it? It's a good thing he doesn't mind kisses.

And when you thought things couldn't be any sweeter,

This little card was attached to a patchwork teacup that came in the mail today from Me'Lisa.

She also sent a bowl in the pattern I (along with lots of other bloggers) have fallen in love with and a bracelet she made.

Isn't it beautiful? Me'Lisa is wondering if she should open an etsy shop. I say YES!!! This was a box full of goodies to cheer me up. It certainly put a great big smile on my face. I will definitely have a cup of tea this afternoon wearing my bracelet and think of Me'Lisa. Thank you!!! I have said it many times before and I will continue to say it, I am so blown away by the kindness of bloggers. We are essentially strangers but also like family. My husband is always so amazed at the kindness shown to me by people I've never met.

I'd love to have pictures of sewing progress, but the progress I've made this week will have to be reflected in my words and not in photographs. It has certainly been a tough week and I am so glad to say it is ending much better than it began. Sometimes life can throw a great big curve ball out of left field and knock you right off your feet. I'm brushing my knees off, taking a deep breath and enjoying the sweet memories of a special little soul.

August 22, 2006

You know, for someone who claims to be a private person, I sure do open myself up for the world to see sometimes don't I? In my real life there are no more than 3 people I could have shared those thoughts and feelings with but in sharing them with you, my wonderful internet friends you have wrapped your arms around me and listened as I cried. For that I am so thankful. Your comments were full of kindness, understanding, and genuine concern. If you ever wonder if your comments really matter, please know that they do. They matter so much. Today was better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better than today.

I have a tiny... and when I say tiny I'm not joking...a tiny bit of work in progress to show. I sewed a few stitches. Pressed a few seams. Did a little cutting and made some progress on a project I am excited about and eager to complete. On a normal day I would have zipped through this and started on something else that's been waiting for my attention, but today I am satisfied with even the small amount of progress made. Baby steps toward getting back into things.

I'm a little bit reluctant to share this, just because I'm being fearful and neurotic, but I would also like to share something happy since I haven't done that in a while. Meet Toby.

In a moment of emotional spontaneity, Alyssa and I went to see this little guy. You know I had to bring him home. He will not replace Madden, but he's already finding his own unique place in our family.